The Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) was part of an investigation team in a matter in which an Olympic athlete tested positive for banned or unlawful substances. Further investigation revealed that the athlete had purchased legal substances from a website, which had been laced with unlawful substances. The investigation also revealed that the website was used to sell and distribute controlled substances without legal authority from the Medicines Control Council.
Investigators seized packages at a courier company that were destined for delivery, and upon testing of the contents of the packages, it was shown that the substances were laced with methamphetamine. The FIC analysed 143 bank accounts and identified the main persons behind the website and those who benefited from the sale of these controlled and illegal substances.
Analysis of the various accounts identified that four main suspects in the matter received payments from the bank account linked to the website and they were conducting business through their own registered companies. Payments via the website, over the period 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2024, amounted to R142 055 352.85.
Inter-account transfers showed that the subjects were linked to the main company and that they purchased and distributed these substances to clients by advertising through social media and other channels.
Analysis of the website revealed that more than 80 percent of the substances being sold were either controlled or unlawful.
The takedown operation revealed extensive laboratories established to manufacture and mix the substances. Large quantities of unlawful substances were seized at three premises in Gauteng, which were also linked to a fourth property in the Western Cape. Storage facilities were also identified through account analysis, resulting in the seizure of large quantities of unlawful and controlled substances.
The FIC conducted extensive account analysis, considering the order numbers of seized packages containing unlawful and controlled substances as well as transaction references reflecting the names of those substances.
Positive balances in three accounts, amounting to R4 716 374.36 linked to the sale and distribution operation were secured through section 34 interventions under the FIC Act. The FIC deposed to an affidavit in support of a Prevention of Organised Crime Act preservation order, and the assets were later forfeited to the state unopposed.
The bank account analyses clearly indicated inter-account transfers and numerous rounded credit amounts, which were used either to purchase more stock or to maintain the lifestyle of the arrested subjects. The analysis and investigation of the matter remain ongoing.